EUROPEAN CYCLING HOLIDAYS 2018 ENGLAND - THE COTSWOLDS 8-days / 7-nights self-guided inn-to-inn easy to moderate cycling in the heart of England The Cotswolds has long been a popular destination for those seeking a traditional view of rural England. This cycling holiday is designed as a gentle introduction to cycling in the English countryside. A week of undulating cycling takes you through some of the most beautiful and historic parts of England. Honey coloured stone villages, open wolds, wooded valleys and Roman roads are the background to pretty villages, “wool” churches, famous gardens, a Roman villa and welcoming country inns. Starting in Cheltenham with its Regency buildings, gardens and fashionable shops, the ride takes you over the Wolds and through Duntisbournes, crossing the River Dunt and passing exquisite village churches with Saxon and Norman features. At Tetbury, once an important medieval wool market town, you can stand inside the old market house and walk down the ancient Chipping Steps - the course for the Woolsack Races. Following the River Coln from Barnsley to Bibury, described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England, you will discover a famous row of weavers' cottages. Down the scenic Windrush Valley, past Windrush village’s Norman church to the elegant town of Burford, with its steep main street leading down to the river. The route takes you to the Eastleach villages with their fine churches and historic footbridge, and to the Barringtons. After a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa the ride takes you through Northleach to the Slaughters, perhaps the most delightful villages in England. On the final day visit the historic 15th Century Snowshill Manor, take lunch at Broadway and visit Sudeley Castle, once home to two of Henry VIII's wives, Katherine Parr and Anne Boleyn, before freewheeling down Cleeve Hill and back to Cheltenham. Grade: Choice of routes each day: @ 25 miles / 40km (moderate) or @ 15 miles / 24km (easy) Departs: Daily from mid-March to early October Cost from: $1460 per person twin share Single supplement on request Included: 7 nights’ accommodation (ensuite bathroom facilities where available); 7 breakfasts; luggage transfers (one bag per person up to 20kg); route notes & maps (one set per room); emergency phone support. Bike hire: Bike hire is £95, paid locally for multi-geared hybrid bikes suitable for on/off-road use. Plus helmet, lock, a spare inner tube, tyre levers / repair kit. Panniers can be hired for an additional charge of £6 per pair and must be booked in advance. Start & end point: Cheltenham. Nearest international airport: London Heathrow / Gatwick or Birmingham. There is regular train service from London Paddington or Birmingham New Street station to Cheltenham. Call OUTDOOR TRAVEL on 1800 331 582 for details or reservations Suggested Accommodation: Please note that this is very popular area – especially at weekends – so where necessary the usual accommodation may be changed and if necessary a supplement applied when your reservation is requested. Be mindful UK holiday weekends (Easter, 1st May, end of May, end of August 2018) are very busy and accommodation needs to be requested well in advance. Suggested itinerary – with a choice of rides each day: Day 1: Arrive in Cheltenham: Cheltenham Circuit Rides If you plan to arrive early you can collect your bikes in the afternoon and get an early ride in (please note this additional afternoon of bike hire should be requested in advance and is not included in the hire price of £95). Or, add one of these circuits on the morning of Day 2, before starting the day’s ride. Ride 1: a short ride to Churchdown Hill distance @ 14 miles (22km) This is a gently undulating, easy ride until you get to Churchdown and the steep hill to St. Bartholomew’s Church; but it is worth the push up the hill – it’s peaceful, and there is a good view over the vale. Ride 2: to Deerhurst and Wainlodes via Boddington and Churchdown distance @ 30 miles (48km) A fairly flat, easy ride on relatively busy roads; the quietest area of the ride is to the west of the A38. Deerhurst is well worth visiting for its Saxon churches and Wainlodes for its magnificent view of the river Severn. Accommodation: Our chosen 5-crown guesthouse accommodation dates back to 1824, a gracious age of enlightened and generous architecture. It is close to Cheltenham centre and all its amenities. Day 2: Cheltenham to Frampton Mansell Ride 1: via Elkstone, the Duntisbournes and Daglingworth distance @ 20 or 16 miles (32 or 26km) This lovely ride is uphill at the beginning, but from Elkstone goes through easier, undulating countryside. The ride down the Duntisbourne valley is a treat. The churches at Elkstone, Duntisbourne Rouse and Daglingworth are particularly worth visiting. There are two pub stops in the middle of the ride. Ride 2: via Cowley, Sheepscombe, Painswick and Slad distance @ 31 or 28 miles (49 or 44km) This is an interesting, varied but hilly ride with attractive countryside and scenery and some famous towns and villages: Painswick, an elegant wool town; Slad, the home of Laurie Lee, the famous Cotswold author; Stroud, the industrial centre of the valleys; and Bisley, another beautiful wool town. Accommodation: In Frampton Mansell stay at a 16th Century stone inn overlooking the Chalford Valley. Day 3: Frampton Mansell to Bibury Ride 1: via South Cerney and Meysey Hampton distance @ 23 or 18 miles (36 or 29km) This easy bike ride circles through South Cerney and the Water Park. It passes through several quiet villages and the flat south Cotswolds countryside, finishing in Barnsley where the church and Barnsley House Garden are worth visiting. Ride 2: via Tetbury, Cherington, Ashton Keynes and Down Ampney distance @ 34 miles (54km) Visit Tetbury, an attractive wool town, then ride east to Ashton Keynes and the Cotswold Water Park. Cycle through several quiet villages southeast of Cirencester then back into the Cotswolds to beautiful Barnsley. Accommodation: Stay 2 nights in Bibury. The 4-crown accommodation here is a 15th Century Cotswold stone building and offers its guest purpose-built facilities in a friendly family atmosphere. Day 4: Bibury Circuit Rides Ride 1: a short ride to Cirencester distance @ 15 miles (24km) This easy ride goes to Cirencester via Welsh Way and Whiteway, and returns via Preston and Ampney. Ride 2: Fairford via the Coln Valley and the Eastleaches distance @ 31 or 26 miles (50 or 42km) This beautiful ride goes down the Coln Valley, which has several typical pretty Cotswold villages. The Woollen Mill at Filkins is interesting, Fairford is a good place for tea, and the stained glass windows are a must see. Day 5: Bibury to Guiting Power Ride 1: via Chedworth Roman Villa, Northleach and Notgrove distance @ 23 or 17 miles (36 or 27km) This is an enjoyable ride over undulating countryside. Ride 2: Windrush Valley, Bourton on the Water, the Slaughters distance @ 33 or 27miles (54 or 44km) An interesting, enjoyable and fairly easy ride through many picturesque Cotswold villages - Windrush and the Slaughters are particularly delightful. Accommodation: 2 nights in Guiting Power, at a tastefully restored 16th Century Cotswold stone farmhouse offering every comfort and a particularly welcoming atmosphere. Day 6: Guiting Power Circuit Rides Ride 1: A short ride to the Slaughters and Lower Swell distance @ 14.5 miles (23km) This undulating ride goes through beautiful countryside and attractive quiet villages. Upper Slaughter is a lovely place to picnic and spend time by the ford on a fine day. Ride 2: to Snowshill and Chipping Campden via Blockley and Sezincote distance @ 27-35 miles (43- 57km) The lovely ride goes across rolling countryside to Snowshill and Chipping Campden, two classic Cotswold towns. It can be extended to visit Broadway and Hidcote Manor Gardens. Hilly riding and even the minor roads are busy at holiday weekends. Day 7: Guiting Power to Cheltenham Ride 1: via Winchcombe and Brockhampton distance @ 18 or 14 miles (29 or 22km) This ride covers some beautiful countryside, with good views from the hills. It is quite hilly, particularly down into and up from Winchcombe, but it gives you a good knowledge of the Cotswold scarp! Winchcombe is well worth visiting, and it is easy to spend several hours there. Ride 2: Northleach, Chedworth Roman Villa, Withington and Seven Springs distance @ 25.5 miles (41km) This ride goes through beautiful countryside, some attractive villages, and to Northleach - an important wool town - with an interesting wool church. The Roman Villa is fascinating. Accommodation: Return to the same accommodation as your first night. Day 8: Tour ends in Cheltenham After breakfast you can arrange to travel by bus or train to London or for connections with other areas. Contact Outdoor Travel for more itinerary details and reservations Call toll free on 1800 331 582 or (03) 57551743 or Fax (03) 57501020 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.outdoortravel.com.au Mail: Outdoor Travel Pty Ltd, PO Box 286, Bright, VIC 3741, Australia .